Implementing New Hampshire School
Air Quality Laws Webinar
March 24
Agenda
Welcome
Overview of Webinar Technology
Importance of Addressing Indoor Air Quality Issues
The New School Air Quality Laws
Indoor Air Quality Inspection Checklist
One School’s Success Story
Available Resources
Questions
1
Eugene Benoit
Environment Engineer
Indoor Environments Program
Regional Tools for Schools Coordinator
Regional Asthma Team
US EPA New England Regional Office
Boston, MA
Tel. 617 918 1639
benoit.eugene@epa.gov
2
NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL
INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)
REQUIREMENTS
EDWARD R. MURDOUGH PE
NH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MARCH 24, 2011
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Statutory Requirements
 RSA 189:24 – Provide “… a suitable and
sanitary building … with suitable
provision for the care of the health and
physical welfare of all pupils.”
 RSA 200:11-a – “The school principal, or
designee, shall annually investigate the
air quality of any schoolhouse or building
used for school purposes using a
checklist provided by the department of
education.”
4
Administrative Rules
 Ed 306.07(a)(1) – “Consistent with RSA 189:24
a clean, healthy, and safe learning environment
….”
 Ed 306.07(a)(3) – “Exhaust and outdoor air
ventilation, proper temperature and humidity
conditions in compliance with the state building
code ….”
 Ed 306.09 – “…custodial services as are
necessary to ensure a clean, sanitary, and safe
physical plant and grounds. The school plant
shall be cleaned on a daily basis. School
repairs and maintenance shall be performed on
a regular basis.”
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IAQ Inspection
 Who should do it?
- Law assigns responsibility to principal
- Principal may designate someone
 Who has expertise?
- Maintenance staff
- Nurse
- Assistant principal
- Wellness team
- Tools for Schools (TfS) Team
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IAQ Inspection
 What is involved?
- Physical walk around
- Records check
 Air testing is not required
 Professional experts are not required
7
IAQ Checklist, Form A24IAQ
Sections
 Administration
 Quality Maintenance
 Control of Moisture/Mold
 Strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
 Effective Cleaning and Maintenance
 Smart Materials Selection
 Aggressive Source Control
 Building Exterior
8
Administration
 Does the school have a TfS kit?
 Safety/wellness committee?
 No idling policy?
 Other policies?
 Complaints and deferred maintenance?
9
Quality Maintenance
 Is there a maintenance plan/program?
 Is preventive maintenance being done?
10
Control of Moisture/Mold
 Do you address leaks, spills, and
condensation promptly and effectively?
11
Strong Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)
 Do you have an IPM program?
 Do you control pesticide use in your
building?
12
Effective Cleaning and
Maintenance
 Are custodial staff properly trained in the
use of toxic chemicals?
 Do you use best cleaning practices and
equipment?
 Do you minimize the use of highly toxic
chemicals?
13
Smart Material Selection
 Do you minimize volatile organic
compounds (VOCs)?
 Do you know what is in your building?
 Do you avoid the use of products
containing toxic chemicals and other
hazardous materials?
14
Aggressive Source Control
 Do you property store, handle, and
dispose of hazardous materials?
 Have you tested for radon and installed
a mitigation system if levels exceed
recommended amount?
 Do you have walk-off mats at all
entrances?
 Do you flush the air periodically?
15
Building Exterior
 Is the roof inspected and properly
maintained?
 Is the envelope in good condition?
 Are sources of pollutants such as
vehicles and trash dumpsters kept away
from air intakes?
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Submission Requirements
 Annually to:
School Board
Town Health Officer
Dept. of Education
 Required for School Approval process
17
Contact Information
Ed Murdough
Administrator
Bureau of School Approval & Facility
Management
NH Dept. of Education
(603) 271-2037
emurdough@ed.state.nh.us
18
The Healthy Schools Story
At
Lamprey River Elementary School
Raymond, NH
Dan LeGallo
3/24/2011
19
This?
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This?
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This?
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This?
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This?
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This?
25
Or This?
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Or This?
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Or This?
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Or This?
Or This?
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What did we do?
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Applied for the Healthy Schools Grant
Partnered with all stakeholders
Educated!! Educated!! Educated!!!
EPA Tools for Schools
Bridged the Knowing/Doing Gap
Sweat Equity!!!!
Program Partners & Interventions
• New Hampshire Asthma Control Program (NHACP)
• New Hampshire Department of Agriculture (AGR)
• New Hampshire Department of Education (DOE)
• New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES)
• Breathe New Hampshire
• New Hampshire Partnership for High Performance Schools (NHPHPS)
• New Hampshire Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health (NHCOSH)
• Council for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions
(CCACHC)
• New Hampshire Local Government Center (LGC)
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Program Outline
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1.
Orientation Meeting
2.
Building and Asthma Management Issues Training;
Data Collection
3.
Building Assessment and Walkthrough Training; Data
Collection
4.
Building Walkthrough; Data Collection
5.
Planning and Implementation: Review Data, Set
Priorities, Develop Work Plan, Implement, Evaluate
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Chemicals
• Remove unauthorized chemicals
– Air fresheners, plug-ins, bleach, spray
cleaners
– Soap and Water
• Keep custodial supplies out of the
hands of staff
• Provide staff with appropriate
supplies and provide training on
hazard communication
34
Housekeeping/Storage
• Teachers:
– Clean personal effects monthly
• Microfiber cloths
• Spray bottle with approved cleaner
– Store materials efficiently
• Boxes/totes, Flat Surfaces
– Launder items
• Cloths, Stuffed Animals, Mats
– Purge
35
Allergy Asthma Triggers
• Managing Pollutants Within
– Eliminate Stuffed Furniture
– Create Policy for Animals/Fish
– Require Laundering of Mats, Cloth, Stuffed
Animals Monthly (minimum)
– Reduce Loose and Flaking Paper
– Eliminate the Chemicals
• Pay attention to air fresheners/plug-ins
• Household Cleaners
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Accountablity
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• Set high expectations for
classroom/Modify Behaviors
• Provide Staff Education
• Empower the custodians to confiscate
chemicals and report issues (AFTER staff
education)
• Engage the students in energy
conservation/cleaning activities
• Use positive reinforcement
• Reward positive changes
Positive Outcomes
•
•
•
•
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More Functional Space
Improved morale (Staff & Students)
Higher Student Performance
Renewed sense of pride in how the building
looks & feels
• Less visits to the Nurse
• Less Absenteeism
• Reduce use of inhalers/medication
Positive Outcomes
• Improve Teamwork in the School
• Create ownership of School issues
• Increase internal capacity to change
(Culture)
• Reduce Operating/Energy Costs
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KEYS TO SUCCESS
• Engage an array of people to participate on the
Healthy Schools Team
• Identify key contact for school and an asthma
“champion”
• Use a work plan and timetable to implement
activities
• Recognize and resolve problems or obstacles
in a timely manner
• Administration and other key school personnel
support the program
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Daniel LeGallo
LRES Principal
d.legallo@sau33.org
895-3117 ext. 3103
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IAQ Web Resources for Schools
NH Partners for Healthy Schools
www.nhhealthyschoolenvironments.org
NH Partners for Healthy Schools
-Applicationwww.nhhealthyschoolenvironments.org/application.html
US EPA Tools for Schools
www.epa.gov/tfs
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Questions?
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